Britain to release policy statement on North

The British government is expected to release a major policy statement on Northern Ireland later today.

The British government is expected to release a major policy statement on Northern Ireland later today.

It is understood it will call on the IRA and loyalist paramilitaries to fully disarm and disband for the peace process to continue.

Mr Tony Blair yesterday challenged the North's political parties to accept "exclusively peaceful and democratic means" as the only way to move the peace process forward.

People had to make "very, very clear" in "word and deed" that they were committed to "exclusively peaceful means" following the suspension of the Executive.

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Mr Blair was last night accused by the Democratic Unionist Party of "backing off" from confronting the IRA's alleged continuing activities.

Following 45 minutes of talks with Mr Blair and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid, at Downing Street, the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, said he demanded the British government face up to the IRA. He also called for fresh elections.

Dr Reid is expected to begin a round of bilateral meetings with the Northern parties next week.